Gray Matter Health
The Gray Matter Blog
Nutrition
How to eat more vegetables if you hate the taste of vegetables
If you're trying to work on your health, but hate the taste of vegetables, know that you are not alone. Ever since you were a child, you have probably heard repeatedly that vegetables are good for you. And whether you like it or not, it's true. Every complete diet includes a healthy dose of vegetables for good reason: * Vegetables are chocked full of vitamins and minerals. These serve critical roles in helping our bodies function the way they are supposed to: keeping our organs healthy, prote
Every cuisine is healthy
A month ago, I started a Master's in Nutrition program at the University of Colorado in pursuit of the RD (Registered Dietitian) credential. After spending the entirety of my 20s in Washington, DC and New York City, I moved back to my home state of Colorado. And after nearly a decade of navigating the old boys' club of the tech industry, I found myself smack dab in the middle of the white girls' club of dietetics. Let me tell you, I feel more out of place here than I ever did in tech. When I li
Everything you need to know about creatine
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most thoroughly tested and well-researched supplements for strength athletes on the market. Its' performance-boosting and health-promoting effects are robust, and on top of that, it's dirt cheap and highly available! Thus, creatine has rightfully earned its reputation as the gold standard supplement for strength sports. Abundant research has shown for years that creatine lead to substantial increases in lean mass, anaerobic exercise performance, strength, and
Is fasted exercise right for women?
The practice of fasted exercise – in particular, cardiovascular exercise first thing in the morning – has rapidly risen in popularity. Proponents argue that training before breakfast teaches the body to burn more fat as fuel, leading to performance gains, improved insulin sensitivity, and faster weight loss. While these claims may hold a grain of truth, the question we should be asking is, do the benefits of fasted exercise outweigh the costs? Regrettably, when we consider this in context of th
There is no such thing as a "bad food"
As a nutrition coach, I have found that almost everyone has the tendency to categorize specific foods as either "good" or "bad". Foods high in sugar, processed foods, or anything that doesn't fit into the classic image of health, often get stigmatized as "bad", while fruits, lean proteins, and vegetables are seen as virtuous and "good". The reality of nutrition is far more complex and nuanced. Ultimately, I would argue no food is inherently bad for you. However, it is perfectly understandable wh